Last week, the U.K. election received mass media attention for its partisan outcome, but less so for its unprecedented election of women to Parliament. On Thursday, June 8th, the U.K. made national history by electing 208 women Members of Parliament - the highest number yet. While the new partisan breakdown sparked heated debate and disagreement, the overwhelming appreciation for this achievement crossed party lines. Many also celebrated the election of the first woman Sikh MP, Preet Kaur Gill, and the first Palestinian MP, Layla Moran.
This record-breaking moment certainly deserves recognition, but so does the gap still separating the U.K. from reaching gender parity. Frances Scott, an advocate for women’s political representation, pointed out that “men still outnumber women by more than 2:1 in the corridors of power.” Others called attention to the underlying sexism present in the political sphere, evidenced by the reelection of Philip Davies, who attempted to defeat a domestic violence bill last year.